Air-craft.



E. D. HOLLIDGE.

AIR CRAFT.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13, 1913.

1,1 12,615. Patented Oct. 6, 1914.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

F. D. HOLLIDGE.

AIR CRAFT.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13, 1913.

1,1 12,615, Patented Oct. 6, 1914.

2 SHEETSSHEBT 2.

i i Imam A Gum,

TES P FTC.

AIR-CRAFT.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK D. HOL- L'IDGE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Air-Craft, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in air' crafts and more particularly to the frame or body portion of the same.

The primary object of the invention is to utilize the pneumatic principle with a de- I vice including a body portion, which is made up of a frame having a flexible covering which is expanded and contracted due to. the atmospheric pressure on the exterior thereof so as to increase the surface area of the device when passing from a rarified to a dense air, or vice versa, at the same time displacing the same weight of air for the machine to do this automatically without the attention of the aviator.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a large keel which depends from the body so as to laterally stabilize the machine, and give proper form to the body when the same is covered.

A further object which this invention contemplates is to provide laterally extending flexible planes which are for the purpose of maintaining the equilibrium of the ship when in the air, so as to prevent the tilting or dipping of the machine,- which is very often the case due to atmospheric changes.

A still further object resides in the provision of a back which is arched over the body portion and is in connection with the wings and keel to insure a rigid construction of the parts.

Another object is to keep the center of gravity around the lower parts.

Still another object is to obtain a greater area of surface on the under side of the machine than on the upper side.

This invention has been devised'on the order of a bird so as to aid in the utilization of the pneumatic principle, the frame work of the device being equivalent to the body portion of a bird, especially a bird of the soaring type, the keel depending from the body being equivalent to the breast bone of the bird and the laterally extending planes being similar to the wings of the bird. By this peculiar formation of parts it is seen that the equilibrium of the ship will be maintained while in midair and Specification of Letters .Patent.

Application filed June 13, 1913.

Patented Got. 6, 1914.

Serial No. 773,504.

while traveling through atmospheres of the rare or dense type, and will eliminate many cumbersome structures which have heretofore been used for performing this function.

Other objects as well as the nature, characteristic features and scope of my invention Wlll be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and po nted out in the claims forming a part of this specification.

Referring to the drawings :Figure l is a top plan view of the device constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view; and Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view of a portion of body.

In the drawings wherein is illustrated the preferred form of the invention a body portion 5 is provided which constitutes an elongated "substantially cylindrical frame which comprises a plurality of ribs 6 each of which is of a preferably arcuate form, and longitudinal strips 7 the ends of which are curved into the desired shape, so as to provide a frame slightly tapering toward the rear end. Arched over the top of the frame is a plate 8 which is formed from aluminum or a similar material, and has the forward ends 9 thereof extending upwardly beyond the sides of the frame, the rearward end of the plate tapering so as to conform to the width of the frame at its rear end.

Extending around the ribs 6 and the rear arcuate end 10 of the longitudinal strips 7., is a flexible covering 11 which is made of rubber or any other suitable material, and is in engagement with the edges of the back plate 8. A plate 17 is provided which extends over the front end of the frame, having the upper rear edge thereof in engagement with the forward end of t") back plate 8, and the lower rear edge in engage ment with the keeL- The front end of the covering 11 is extended downwardly beyond the end "of the lower longitudinal strip 7 and into engagement with the lower marginal edge of the keel 12 whereby to inclose the same for providing air spaces on the opposite sides of said keel, said covering being engaged with the back plate 8. The keel extends along the lower face of the lower longitudinal strip 7 and has the upper face thereof concaved, the said concaved portion beginning at the forward end and extending rearwardly as indicated by the dotted lines in 3. The sides of the keel extend. upwardly into engagement with the ribs 6 of the frame, said keel being preferably formed from aluminum or the like and being covered with the elastic material 11 as before stated which extends downwardly below the frame and over the keel.

Extending transversely across the forward end of the body portion 5 is a strut 14: which is arched intermediate its ends as indicated at 15 conforming to the configuration of the body portion, and extending outwardly from the sides thereof beneath the back plate 8. The strut 14 is preferably tubular and tapers toward its outer extremities, being engaged by the wings 16 which are made by extending the elastic covering around the strut 14 and into engagement with the longitudinal edges of the back plate 8 as shown to advantage in Figs. 1 and 2, said wings being in engagement with the back plate 8 and extending laterally on each side thereof.

A valve 17 is concentrically mounted in the front plate 17, and is for the purpose of withdrawing the air from the interior of the body portion so as to create a partial vacuum therein for facilitatin the actuation of the flexible covering 11 w en air pressure is exerted on the exterior thereof. In Fig. 4 the influence of the air pressure on the exterior of the body portion 5 is shown to advantage by the dotted lines.

In operation the air is partlyexhausted from the body portion 5 and between the elastic covering on the sides 11 and the extension of the back plate on the'sides 9 through the medium of the valve 17. This causes the elastic covering to give or be flexed inwardly under atmospheric pressure in which state the machine is to be flown, the valve of course being first closed. It can now be seen that any changes in the air pressure during the flight will cause the balance of forces established inside and outside of the elastic covering to be changed and said covering will instantly and automatically give in or out according to the pressure, displacing the same weight of air and therefore preserving and maintaining an even buoyancy. The surface area varies but the buoy ancy remains the same through diflerent pressures, winds, air pockets, eddies, etc. At the same time the elastic covering acts as plane surfaces for eficient flight. This pneumatic'arrangement is likewise utilized as a shock absorber, as for instance a wind blowing on any part will have its force transmitted in all directions withoutv injury to that part. After the flight, the valve is opened and the covering released from a strain or tension which it would be under when the body is deflated. It is of course understood that the valve may be open and air allowed to be emitted or let in the body at times, so as to change the weight and buoyancy of the machine thereby likewise allowing the temperature of the inclosed air to be changed in order to change the weight of buoyancy.

It will be understood that the above description and accompanying drawings comprehend only the general and preferred embodiment of my invention and that various minor changes in details of construction, proportion and arrangement of the parts may be made within the scope of the appended claims and without sacrificing any of the advantages of my invention, it being. likewise understood that the word air craft in the present instance is applied to all types of flying machines.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an aeroplane, an air containing frame, an airtight means inclosing said frame comprising an elastic and a rigid covering, the former of which automatically expands and contracts under barometrical air changes to provide, in conjunction with said rigid covering, lifting planes for assisting in the stabilization of the device.

2. In an air craft, an air containing body comprising an elastic covering a ribbed frame for distending the covering to form a plain unbroken surface in higher altitudes and adapted to be flexed between said ribs in lower altitudes, consistent with the barometrical atmospheric changes.

3. In an aeroplane, a frame including a rigid hollow elongated frame work, a fabric inclosing the frame work and supported thereby, a strut secured across the forward end of the frame work, wings ex- 105 tending over the body and secured to said strut, and a keel depending from said body, said keel being of an arcuate configuration and covered with flexible material for the purpose set forth. 110

4. Inan air craft a body including an elongated substantially cylindrical frame, said frame comprising a plurality of ribs and longitudinal strips, said body tapering toward the one end thereof, a flexible covering inclosing sald frame adapted to contract and expand between said ribs under the influence of atmospheric changes, a strut extending transversely across said body portion, the midway portion of said strut being arched so as to conform to the curvature of said body, said strut tapering toward its extremities, a back plate arched over said body portion and having engagement with said strut, wings engaging said strut and said plate, and a keel de ending from said body portion for stabilizmg the craft.

5. In an air craft, a frame including an elongated tapering cylindrical body, comprising spaced apart ribs and longitudinally said keel and means associated with said frame for facilitating the withdrawing of air therefrom.

6. In an air craft, a frame comprising a plurality of spaced apart ribs and longitudinally extending strips engaging said ribs, said strips and ribs being constructed so as to provide an elongated substantially cylindrical body, which tapers toward the one end thereof, a flexible elastic covering for said frame, adapted to contract between said ribs under the influence of atmospheric changes, a back plate arched over said frame, the rear end of which is reduced conforming to the configuration of said frame, a hollow metallicstrut tapering toward its extremities, arched over said frame, flexible wings extending laterally from said frame and having engagement with said strut and said plate, a keel depending from said body intermediate said wings, the covering of said frame engaging over said keel and a valve arranged in said frame whereby access may be gained to the interior thereof.

7 In an air craft, an air chamber consisting of a rigid structure and an elastic covering for the structure, said covering adapted to expand and contract automatically on said structure under the influence of atmospheric changes, preservin the buoyancy without changing the weight.

8. In an aeroplane, a rigid frame, an elastic airtight material covering the same and forming an air cavity within the'frame and between the frame and elastic covering, and means of access to the air in said cavity whereby air may be exhausted and a partial vacuum formed in said cavity thereby producing strain on the elastic covering for automatically displacin the same weight of atmosphere under diflerent pressures when all openings are closed.

9. An aeroplane'including an elongated hollow framework comprising a multiplicity of spaced apart ribs and elongated strips, an elastlc fabric arranged on said frame and adapted to be flexed, at times, between said ribs, and a plate carried by one end of said frame for the purpose specified.

10. An aeroplane including an elongated hollow framework comprising a multiplicity of spaced apart ribs and elongated strips, an

elongated keel depending from said framework and extending longitudinally thereof, an elastic covering carried by said framework and adapted to inclose said keel, said covering adapted to be flexed between said sure, a plate arranged on the forward end of said frame and having engagement with said keel for the purpose set forth.

1;. In an aeroplane, a hollow framework, a flexible covering on the framework having its margin held from movement thereon and its intermediate portion loosely arranged on the f ame and adapted to automatically expand and contract under variant atmospherical pressures, whereby adjustment of the covering on the framework is permitted for displacing an equivalent amount of air in different atmospheres.

12. In an aeroplane, a hollow body, an elastic air tight covering for the body, whereby the expansion and contraction of said covering on said body is permitted under barometrical air changes in conjunction with the pressure caused by speed during movement, said covering balancing the air pressure on the surface thereof for displacing substantially the same weight of air.

13. In an aeroplane, an air containing framework, an elastic air tight covering for the framework for displacing the exterior atmospheric pressure in harmony with the barometrical air changes, and means to regulate the amount of the inclosed air at times to change the form and buoyancy.

14. In an aeroplane, a hollow tapering framework, an elastic air-tight covering mounted on the framework for distention and contraction under atmospheric pressure whereby an enlarged air engaging surface is provided at the rear, by the sequential reaction created when in motion, for facilitating propulsion.

15. In an aeroplane, a hollow tapering air containing body, comprising a ribbed structure and an elastic air-tight covering, said covering adapted to automatically expand and contract under barometrical air changes, and being tensioned by the withdrawal of air from said body, the tension of said covering equalizin the pressure of the air streams through which said body passes, whereby to facilitate the propulsion of the aeroplane by the constant contact of said air streams with the elastic covering.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

i FREDERICK D. HOLLIDGE.

'Witness'es:

B. M. LA SCOLA, Rrona'an B. OWEN.

ribs by the influence of atmospheric pres- 

